Cloven Hoof has posted a music video online for the new studio track "I'm Your Nemesis," which is available in the player below. The band commented:

"At long last the fans can watch the brilliant new line up in action playing the new studio song 'I'm your Nemesis' eagerly awaited, we know you won't be disappointed. Cloven Hoof would like to thank Kevin Powis and Dan Evans from Last Independent & EAP films for their fantastic work and direction. Many thanks also to all the staff at Netherton Arts Centre, Hockley Street Studio and Muff Murfin and Richard Wood at The Old Smthy Recording Studios. The band is back bigger and better than ever so check out the video below to see and hear Cloven Hoof deliver its new masterpiece!"

New Wave Of British Heavy Metal veterans Cloven Hoof has announced that they have recruited vocalist Ash Cooper to handle microphone duties within the band.

"I got into music around 16," says the frontman about his history, "wasted exceptional amounts of time accomplishing nothing, but went through a few band experiments and active gigs. Began doing more shows around 18 with the band Silver Fracture, spent the time in-between then and now busking in various places. Looking forward with Cloven Hoof, the future should be kick-ass."

Cloven Hoof has been steadily rebuilding it's lineup recently, and now consists of the following members:

New Wave Of British Heavy Metal veterans Cloven Hoof has announced that they have found a new guitarist in the form of Joe Whelan, formerly of the band Dementia. A message from the group reads as follows:

"After auditioning 147 guitar players and listening to countless demo CDs, Cloven Hoof have finally found their ultimate guitar hero courtesy of the Express & Star newspaper. Joe Whelan is officially now a member of Cloven Hoof.

"Joe's previous band was called Dementia, and his high octane fluid lead style will bring a whole new dimension to the band. He is currently working on his lead breaks on the new Cloven Hoof studio track called 'I'm Your Nemesis'. It is being recorded on the band's first big budget video, filming will start on September 27th.

"So get ready to see and hear the band - bigger and better than ever before! More personnel details will follow shortly... stay tuned!"

New Wave Of British Heavy Metal veterans Cloven Hoof has announced that they will shortly be re-releasing their EP, "The Opening Ritual," which was originally released in 1982. The re-issue will be available from June 11th and will feature the original four tracks from the record, as well as bonus material. The EP will be available on CD and vinyl.

The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal really is a treasure chest when it comes to music. There are so many bands from the movement that produced some oustanding metal but never got the recognition they deserved. One of the best examples of such treatment would be Cloven Hoof, the band hailing from the city of Wolverhampton. Formed in 1979, it was three years before the group were able to record a demo tape and gain the attention of heavy metal fans and record labels. Initially the members attempted to stand out from their peers by using pseudonyms and decided that each member would be named after the four elements, Earth, water, fire and air. While using this gimmick, Cloven Hoof were able to self-release an EP entitled, "The Opening Ritual," which did very well and was championed by members of the heavy metal and hard rock press in the United Kingdom and the United States alike and led them to be able to record a prestigious session for the Tommy Vance friday rock show. Based on the success of the EP, the band signed to Neat Records soon after, who were known for releasing records by many other New Wave Of British Heavy Metal bands such as Blitzkrieg and Raven. The result was their self-titled debut full length, which like "The Opening Ritual," achieved massive critical acclaim. However, internal tensions became a problem and after releasing a live album entitled, "Fighting Back" in 1986, the band called it a day.

Cloven Hoof would resurface in 1988 however, being brought back to life by bass player Lee Payne who recruited vocalist Russ North and a host of other new members. With a new sense of enthusiasm and dedication, the band decided to drop their stage names in favour of their own and get to work on a new album, which materialised the same year in the form, "Dominator." This new record saw the band move from the standard heavy metal style of their contemporaries into a power metal territory, a formula which followed them to their next album, "A Sultan's Ransom." Both of these albums were well received by fans and featured songs which have since become live staples. Despite their perceived success, the group once again broke up in 1990 as a result of contractual difficulties.

In the early period of the last decade, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal saw a resurgence in popularity and many of the bands reunited as a result. Payne decided around this time to reform Cloven Hoof but unfortunately, none of the former members were interested, leaving Payne to recruit a brand new lineup. Pre-existing contractual problems were still haunting the band however, and it wasn't to be until 2006 that the group released a new studio album, which came in the form of "Eye Of The Sun." Not long after this release though, former vocalist Russ North finally accepted the offer to return to the band and the duo of himself and Payne went about recruiting new musicians for the lineup, which eventually included former drummer Jon Brown. This new stable re-recorded a selection of older tracks for a compilation album entitled, "The Definitive Part 1," which was released in 2008. North left the band the next year however, despite recording his vocals for an EP of new material called, "Throne Of Damnation." As a result of his exit, the band hired singer Matt Moreton, who had previously sung on the "Eye Of The Sun" album, to record his own vocals and the EP finally saw the light of day in 2010. Currently, Cloven Hoof have plans to record a new studio album and have kept their profile alive by releasing a live DVD this past December. More...

The organisers of Britain's Hard Rock Hell festival has announced that New Wave Of British Heavy Metal veterans Tank and Cloven Hoof have pulled out of the event, along with Fastway, The Soulless (formerly Ignominous Incarceration) and Blackstorm. In their places will be Lizzy Borden, Enforcer, Headrush, The Slide and Jetblack. The event is scheduled to take place from December 3rd-5th at Pontins in Prestatyn, Wales.

New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Veterans Cloven Hoof has announced that they have parted ways with guitarists Ben Read and Mick Powell, as well as drummer Jon Brown. A message from the band reads as follows:

"Ben Read and Mick Powell have walked out on the band with only 5 weeks to go before 2 prestigious gigs in Finland and Germany. They are letting down the fans, the promoters and the good name of Cloven Hoof.

"It had been noticed for some time that their stage presence was nil and their musicianship was deteriorating by the day. More...

The organisers of Britain's Hard Rock Hell festival has announced some more additions to this years lineup. The biggest news is that British heavy metal staples Saxon will be returning to the event this year and that German power metal veterans Helloween will be joining them. Also added to the bill is New Wave Of British Heavy Metal band Blitzkrieg and Swedish glam metal band Fatal Smile. The event is scheduled to take place in Prestatyn, Wales at the Pontins resort from December 3rd-5th.

The organisers of Britain's Hard Rock Hell festival has announced that this year will feature a special NWOBHM stage which will feature performances from some of the most revered names from the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. The bands confirmed for this stage include Jaguar, Tokyo Blade, Pagan Altar, Cloven Hoof, Bitches Sin, Spartan Warrior and Marseille, who will be opening up stage 2 on the saturday, to showcase material from their forthcoming new album, "Unfinished Business."

The festival takes in Prestatyn, Wales from the 3rd-5th of December and is already nearly sold out. Other bands confirmed for the festival include:

New Wave Of British Heavy Metal veterans Cloven Hoof has announced that they will no longer be working with vocalist Russ North. An explanation for the change as well as information on the bands new singer is explained in the following post from the band:

"The new EP 'Throne Of Damnation' has had to have new vocals recorded so this has put the release date back slightly.

"There have been major problems culminating in Russ North letting the band down once again at the Metal Bats festival in Valencia at the last minute. Not only has Mr. North's unprofessional attitiude hurt the band, but far worse than that he let the fans down and that is totally unacceptable. Russ North will never again be asked to perform with Cloven hoof, his association with the band is over for good.

"We are now happy to announce Matt Moreton is officially the new Cloven hoof vocalist, and he will be singing on the new EP. Matt was the powerhouse vocalist on the critically acclaimed Eye Of The Sun album. Fans can expect delivery of the new EP in the first week of April."

UK new wave of british heavy metal band Cloven Hoof has issued the following updates regarding their lineup:

"Russ North has left Cloven hoof to pursue a solo singing career away from heavy metal. The band wish him luck in his new venture. The Barbaars festival in Holland and the Newcastle Cluny shows will have to be cancelled as result of Russ’s departure, but a vocalist will be in place for the Hard Rock Hell festival in December. A new singer will be announced shortly."

The band has also announced that guitarist Mick Powell has been added to their line up for live performances, he will be performing with the band at the Rock of Ages festival in Belgium on 17th October. Mick Powell replaces Christian Horton, who filled in on guitar temporarily. More...

The third edition of the Hard Rock Hell festival in Wales has added some more bands to the current bill. The event will now feature performances from British thrash metal legends Onslaught as well as Evile, Toxic Holocaust and Susperia. The festival will be held between December 4th - 6th in Prestatyn in North Wales.

UK's Cloven Hoof have issued the following update welcoming their new guitarist Christian Horton:

"Christian Horton makes his cloven hoof debut 25th of October, in a baptism of fire at the Metal Maniacs 2008 festival in Hoorn Holland. Christian supported Cloven hoof whilst playing in the excellent band Dark Forest. He will provide blistering rhythm guitar in a set packed with classic hoof songs."

Bassist Lee Payne of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) legends CLOVEN HOOF has issued the following update:

"Yes, it's official — the band would like to announce that they will be playing two shows in Greece this September. The first takes place on Friday, 26th of September in Athens at the Underworld club. CLOVEN HOOF will then be in Thessaloniki on Saturday, 27th of September at the Harley Bar."

"I am pleased to say the secret show we are playing in London will take place on Friday, 25th of April at the Bar Monsta, Camden. The full bill will be CLOVEN HOOF, DESOLATION and DARK FOREST."

"The secret show will take place as the official warm-up party night to the British Steel Festival III, [which is scheduled to take place] Saturday, 26th April 2008 at Camden Underworld. CLOVEN HOOF are doing this show as a thank you for the amazing reception the band got at the Purple Turtle show a while back. It will be an amazing night of British metal." More...

According to Metalzone.gr, reunited NWOBHM masters TOKYO BLADE have been confirmed for the second installment of the NWOBHM Festival, set to take place November 8, 2008 in Athens, Greece

The first NWOBHM Festival will be held on February 16, 2008 at AN club in Athens, and will feature performances by TYGERS OF PAN TANG, CLOVEN HOOF, JAGUAR and ELIXIR. Tickets cost 25 euros.

For more information, contact promo@sold-out.gr.

TOKYO BLADE guitarist Andy Boulton recently signed a deal with Razar Ice Records. Andy is currently recording his first solo disc for a tentative spring 2008 release. He has also completed work on a guitar-instruction DVD that will be made available soon. The TOKYO BLADE back catalog is also being remixed and remastered by Razar Ice and will be reissued with unreleased bonus and live tracks.

NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) legends CLOVEN HOOF have issued the following update:

"After exhaustive auditions, a second guitarist, Mick Powell, has been recruited to complete the HOOF lineup. He will play twin lead parts and keyboards live, so the band can faithfully re-create songs like 'Mistress of the Forest' and 'Cloven Hoof'. Mick was nearly part of the band's original lineup back in 1984; now the band finally has their man. He will make his debut at the Limelight club Crewe on Thursday 29th March 2007."

CLOVEN HOOF was recently rejoined by vocalist Russ North. "Russ has been previously unable to commit fully to the band due to contractual obligations in Spain," the group wrote on its web site. "However these have been resolved and he has rejoined the band in England to start work on the follow up album to 'Eye of the Sun'. The opus will be called 'Throne of Damnation'. Lee Payne said it will be a return to 'A Sultan's Ransom' epic power, but with a modern cutting edge."

Escape Records will reissue CLOVEN HOOF's classic NWOBHM albums "Dominator" (1988) and "A Sultan's Ransom" (1989) as part of a boxed double album deluxe set. Two bonus tracks are included, along with a glossy booklet containing rare archive pictures.

CLOVEN HOOF were recently rejoined by vocalist Russ North. "After endless rumours and speculation CLOVEN HOOF can confirm the main frontman has returned to the fold at last," the group wrote on its web site. "Russ has been previously unable to commit fully to the band due to contractual obligations in Spain. However these have been resolved and he has rejoind the band in England to start work on the follow up album to 'Eye of the Sun'.

"Jon Brown [drums] and Roy Chudobskyi [guitar] have been approached to rejoin the group to start work on the latest album demos. The opus will be called 'Throne of Damnation'. Lee Payne said it will be a return to 'A Sultan's Ransom' epic power, but with a modern cutting edge."

CLOVEN HOOF has been confirmed for the British Steel Festival 2, set to take place April 28, 2007 at The Pitz, Milton Keynes, England. Also scheduled to appear are JAGUAR, ATTACKER, CHARIOT, ELIXIR, and ATTACKER.

"Eye of the Sun" was produced by Tom Galley of the PHENOMENA fame, who has previously worked with such high-caliber musicians as Brian May, Cozy Powell, Neil Murray, John Thomas, Glenn Hughes, Mel Galley, Don Airey, Ray Gillen, and Scott Gorham.